Clara Smith facts for kids

Clara Smith (born March 13, 1894 – died February 2, 1935) was a famous American classic female blues singer. People called her the "Queen of the Moaners." She had a lighter and sweeter voice than many other singers of her time. Clara Smith was not related to other famous singers named Bessie Smith or Mamie Smith.

Clara Smith's Early Life

Clara Smith was born in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Her parents were Selena and William Smith. She did not have any brothers or sisters. She never went to school. But she learned to read and write on her own.

Historians think Clara probably saw "traveling tent shows" when she was young. These shows often stopped in Spartanburg. They likely made her want to perform too.

Clara Smith's Singing Career

In 1910, Clara Smith started performing. She sang in "tent shows" and vaudeville theaters. These were popular shows back then. By 1918, she was a main performer. She traveled all over the Southern states.

By 1923, she sang in big theaters. These included the Lyric in New Orleans. She also performed at the Bijou Theatre in Nashville.

Moving to New York and Recording

In 1923, Clara moved to New York City. She sang in cabarets and speakeasies there. Soon, she signed a record deal. That same year, she made her first successful recordings. She worked with Columbia Records.

She sang with many other musicians. These included Fletcher Henderson and Louis Armstrong. She even recorded two songs with Bessie Smith. These were "My Man Blues" and "Far Away Blues." She recorded "Troublesome Blues" in 1927.

Her Music Style and Success

At first, Clara sang sad songs. Later, she started recording more upbeat songs. She recorded 122 songs in total. All of them were with Columbia Records. Only Bessie Smith sold more records than Clara.

Clara Smith was famous all over the country. She even performed on the West Coast. This was rare for a blues singer at that time.

Mentoring Josephine Baker

During her career, Clara Smith met a young performer named Josephine Baker. Clara chose to mentor Josephine. She helped Josephine get her start in the music business. Clara hired Josephine as her dresser.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1933, Clara Smith was performing in Detroit, Michigan. She worked in theaters there. She sadly passed away in February 1935. She was almost 41 years old. She died from heart disease.

Clara Smith's Songs

Here are some of the songs Clara Smith recorded:

• "I Never Miss The Sunshine (I'm So Used To The Rain)" (1923)
• "Awful Moanin' Blues" (1923)
• "I Got Everything A Woman Needs" (1923)
• "Every Woman's Blues" (1923)
• "Irresistible Blues" (1923)
• "I Want My Sweet Daddy Now" (1923)
• "All Night Blues" (1923)
• "Play It (Do It A Long Time Papa)" (1923)
• "Kind Lovin' Blues" (1923)
• "Down South Blues" (1923)
• "Don't Never Tell Nobody" (1923)
• "Waitin' For The Evenin' Mail" (1923)
• "Far Away Blues" (1923) with Bessie Smith
• "I'm Going Back To My Used To Be" (1923)
• "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down" (1924)
• "You Don't Know My Mind" (1924)
• "Mean Papa Turn In Your Key" (1924)
• "Back Woods Blues" (1924)
• "San Francisco Blues" (1924)
• "Chain Gang Blues" (1924)
• "Good Looking Papa Blues" (1924)
• "Don't Advertise Your Man" (1924)
• "Kansas City Man Blues" (1924)
• "Uncle Sam Blues" (1924)
• "The Basement Blues" (1924)
• "Mama's Gone, Good Bye" (1924)
• "Freight Train Blues" (1924)
• "Done Sold My Soul To The Devil (And My Heart's Done Turned To Stone)" (1924)
• "West Indies Blues" (1924)
• "The Clearing House Blues" (1924)
• "He's Mine, All Mine" (1925)
• "Steel Drivin' Sam" (1925)
• "The Market Street Blues" (1925)
• "It Takes The Lawd (To Tell What's On My Mind)" (1925)
• "My Good For Nuthin' Man" (1925)
• "When I Steps Out" (1925)
• "Nobody Knows The Way I Feel Dis Mornin'" (1925)
• "If You Only Knowed" (1925)
• "Nobody's Blues But Mine" (1925)
• "My Man Blues" (1925) with Bessie Smith
• "Court House Blues" (1926)
• "The L & N Blues" (1926)
• "How'm I Doin'" (1926)
• "Whip It To A Jelly" (1926)
• "Ain't Nothin' Cookin' What You're Smellin'" (1926)
• "Separation Blues" (1926)
• "Livin' Humble" (1927)
• "Get On Board" (1927)
• "That's Why The Undertakers Are Busy Today" (1927)
• "Black Woman's Blues" (1927)
• "Ease It" (1927)
• "Percolatin' Blues" (1927)
• "Troublesome Blues" (1927)
• "You Can't Get It Now" (1927)
• "Cheatin' Daddy" (1927)
• "You Don't Know Who's Shakin' Your Tree" (1927)
• "Wanna Go Home" (1928)
• "Ain't Got Nobody To Grind My Coffee" (1928)
• "Jelly Look What You Done Done" (1928)
• "It's All Coming Home To You" (1928)
• "Steamboat Man Blues" (1928)
• "Sobbin' Sister Blues" (1928)
• "Gin Mill Blues" (1929)
• "Got My Mind On That Thing" (1929)
• "It's Tight Like That" (1929)
• "Daddy Don't Put That Thing On Me Blues" (1929)
• "Papa I Don't Need You Now" (1929)
• "Tired Of The Way You Do" (1929)
• "Oh! Mister Mitchell" (1930)
• "Where Is My Man" (1930)
• "Ol' Sam Tages" (1931)
• "Unemployed Papa-Charity Workin' Mama" (1931)
• "For Sale" (1931)
• "You Dirty Dog" (1931)
• "Broken Busted Blues" with Louis Armstrong
• "Shipwrecked Blues"
• "My John Blues"
• "Frosty Mornin' Blues"
• "Easy Come Easy Go Blues"

See Also

• List of blues musicians
• Classic female blues
• List of Classic female blues singers
• List of vaudeville performers: L-Z